Lila Major
GLENDALE – Lila Jean Higgs Addie Freitag Major passed away September 26, 2019. Lila was born October 1, 1933 in Rushville Nebraska to William Eugene Higgs and Stella Rose (Krotz) Higgs who lived near Porcupine South Dakota. She was the first of their six children. She spent her early life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge South Dakota. She graduated high school from Notre Dame Academy in Omaha Nebraska.
She married George Layton Addie in 1952 and had four children – David Addie (Carolyn), Jolynn Addie Clarke (Stephen), Judy Addie, and Dennis Addie. The family moved to Phoenix Arizona in the fall of 1963. Lila worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 32 years first as a secretary and then as a realty expert. She completed an Associates of Arts degree from Phoenix College by going to school at night while working during the day and raising four children. The couple divorced in 1974.
Lila married Gunther Edward Freitag in 1978. She became friend and stepmother to his five children – Mark, Kurt, Craig, Ellen, and Eric. Ed and Lila enjoyed traveling and collecting art including a suit of armor and a sixfoot stuffed cat. They supported Arizona Opera, Phoenix Symphony, and other artistic organizations. They were married until Ed’s death in 2000.
In 2003, Lila married Philip Edward Major and became friend and stepmother to his two children – Sheryl and Bill. Phil and Lila also enjoyed travelling mostly to Canada from where Phil had immigrated. Lila also enjoyed working with Phil’s vegetable garden and with his extensive rose beds. They were married until Phil’s death in 2015.
Lila had many interests of her own including reading, theater, opera, art, movies, flowers, birds, and cats. She supported many causes including The Arbor Day Foundation, Arizona Humane Society, Public television and Public radio, Planned Parenthood, Save the Family, and St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Lila is survived by her four children all who live in the Phoenix area, one grandchild – Jason David Addie (Tamuna), two great grandchildren Alexander and Michael of the Republic of Georgia, and many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
Services for Lila will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10:30am at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 6300 W. Camelback Road, Glendale, Arizona with a reception immediately following. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Holly Cemetery, Rushville, Nebraska, spring 2020. Lila loved flowers of all kinds, but if you would like to support a cause in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank P.O. Box 29449, Phoenix, Az 85038.